The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-12-09

we also scrutinized him carefully, for Il
was possible that he might, II his sus.
picions were In the least aroused, en-
deavor to prevent us from taking his
train
He was quite young for a conductor,
being, as we afterward learned, only 20,
though he had been for seven years In
that position. He had frank, genial,
but resolute face, was of medium size,
and looked active and strong.
We had little leisure for looking at the
grand form Of Kenesaw mountain, which
rose on our left, and around the base of
which the road describes almost half
circle, and then turns away before it
reaches Big Shanty. Here was fought
one of the severest battles of the war be-
tween Sherman and Johnston; but this,
with their prolonged struggle over the
whole line of this railway, did not come
until two years later. The question of
deepest interest to us, and one which
would be quickly solved, was, elbow much
of fight will we have at Big Shanty?
II the train is left guarded during break
fast time we will have to overcome the
guards; If anybody sees us going on the
engine, and rush is made to prevent we
will have TO fight sharply and at close
quarters-the most deadly kind of fight
ing" Every revolver had been carefully
examined at Marietta before we slept and
every preparation made, so there was
nothing to do but to wait as patiently as
we could.
It was thrilling moment when the
conductor called out, big Shanty! twenty
minutes for breakfastr' and we could see
the white tents of the rebel troops and
even the guards slowly pacing their beats.
Big Shanty now called Kenesaw) had
been selected for the seizure because it
was breakfast station, and because it
had no telegraph Office. When Andrews
had been here ON the previous expedition,
few troops were seen, but the number was
now greatly increased. 1t is difficult to
tell just how many were actually here,
for they were constantly coming and
going; but there seems to have been three
or four regiments, numbering not far
from 1000 men each. They were en-
camped almost entirely on the west side
of the road but their camp guard included
the railroad depot. AS soon as the train
stopped, the conductor, engineer, fireman,
and most of the passengers hurried for
breakfast into the long low shed on the
east side of the road, which gave the place
| its name. No guard whatever was left
| fortunate circumstance for us, but not
at all unusual on southern roads even
| when not so well guarded by soldiers as
this train was. Now was our opportu-
nity yet for a moment we We're COM
| PEELED to keep our seats and wait the ap-
pointed signal by our leader. 1t required
| strong effort of will to keep from rush
| ing forward We had no desire for eating
as We saw the passengers leaving their
seats around us and pouring in to break
| fast. The moments seemed hours; for we
knew that when the signal was given, we
must do our work in less than half min
ute or be slaughtered on the spot; we also
knew that any one of us who failed to get
| on board with the rest would be lost; but
we did not know how long during the
twenty minutes Andrews would wait. II
anything could be gained by waiting five
or ten minutes we were sure that he, with
his marvellous GOODNESS, would wait and
expect US to do the same. 1t seemed al
ready considerable interval, for the last
passenger who wanted breakfast had left
the train and disappeared within the
room.
But Andrews did not mean delay. He
had been absent from the car for time as
we came up the road and had only just
returned, and taken his seat close to the
door Now he quietly rose, and without
turning his head toward us, stepped to
the door with the crowd that was pouring